Students experience changes of the body, and by tenth grade, most have undergone puberty and are living in a more mature figure. They choose role models and are conscious of their behaviors and what others may think of them. To Kill a Mockingbird only benefits the teen mind because of its strong messages. Atticus Finch says that 'you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it' (Lee 39) and he could not be more correct. Atticus wants his children to give people the benefit of the doubt, and to think before they judge. A teenager does not entirely understand what types of situations others around them are experiencing, but Harper Lee's inspiring book gives light to those reading and teaches them about values. Atticus respects those around him, even though the characters may be bad people or have done bad things. The reader is able to form opinions of the characters, which act as practice for real life experiences. It may teach them to identify what is right or wrong in situations. An example of this is Scout hating Walter Cunningham, yet Walter is poor and does not have the same privileges as Scout. Some may argue that it is only a book, and since it is fictional, the events will never let students learn from them, but the messages about establishing a strong foundation of fundamental beliefs and values as a human being overflow the book. Therefore it is beneficial to tenth grade students. Although life lessons flood the pages of To Kill a Mockingbird, its main conflict is the act of rape, which many critics believe is too explicit for the teenage mind. .
In today's society, it is not rare to hear of rape and other serious crimes occurring. All students know the term 'rape' and what happens when the crime of rape is committed. It is a fact that in eighth grade, children begin to learn about sex, drugs, and rape.